Bears Rout Rattlers, 76-38 – California Golden Bears Athletics

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11/24/2023 | 12:00 PM

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Nov. 24 (Fri) / 12:00 PM

San Jose State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The California women’s basketball team showcased an incredible defensive showing and a remarkable shooting performance from Leilani McIntosh to achieve a 76-38 win over Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center on Monday afternoon.
 
Cal restricted the Rattlers to only 24.6% shooting from the field and 2-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc.

“I’m happy that we got a road sweep,” said Cal head coach Charmin Smith. “It’s been a while since we swept two games on the road so it’s good to get the two wins and come back 5-0. I think we lacked intensity and focus in this one and we could have been a lot sharper with our play, but happy that we got the win.”

 

McIntosh led the Bears’ offense with career-highs of 25 points and five 3-pointers. Following a career-high 19 rebounds against Auburn, Michelle Onyiah once again dominated the glass, pulling down 18 boards to go along with three blocks. Lulu Twidale nailed a career-high three 3-pointers.

“This is what I expect from her [McIntosh],” Smith said. “She’s been shooting the ball well these last two games as we really needed her to and just being a floor general and leading us. So I’m very pleased with her play and hoping that it can stay consistent as we move deeper into nonconference action.”

 

Cal initiated a 7-0 run in the first quarter, spurred by a McIntosh 3-pointer and steal and score to take an early 14-7 lead. She sank a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter to finish with nine points and give the Bears a 10-point advantage heading into the second quarter. Onyiah pulled down six rebounds in the quarter.

 

Twidale hit her third 3-pointer of the game with two minutes to go in the second quarter and a McKayla Williams layup followed by a free throw from Marta Suarez capped a 7-0 run to end the half with the Bears up by 17 points.

 

Better shooting in the third quarter allowed Cal to bust the game wide open as Suarez and McIntosh combined for three consecutive 3-pointers to fuel a 14-4 run and give Cal a 25-point lead at the 5:48 mark. Cal held Florida A&M to just 10 points in the quarter on 26.7% shooting while converting at a 45.5% clip.

 

The Bears built a lead of 40 points on a Mia Mastrov layup in the fourth quarter and cruised to victory.

 

Florida A&M was led by Ahriahna Grizzle’s nine points and Hailee Brennen’s five rebounds.

 

NEXT UP

Cal returns home to host the Raising The B.A.R. Invitational which takes place this Friday-Saturday at Haas Pavilion. The Bears will face San Jose State in the first game of the tournament.

 

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